MOSCOW/KYIV — Russia and Ukraine announced additional battlefield advances on Thursday, with Moscow calling Ukraine’s drone attack on a nuclear power plant “an act of nuclear terrorism. “
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry did not respond to a request for comment on this development.
The nuclear power plant is located in the Kursk region of western Russia, where heavy fighting has occurred since Ukrainian forces launched a surprise incursion on August 6.
TASS quoted Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as saying it was an “act of nuclear terrorism” that required a swift reaction from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The IAEA leader said on Thursday he would visit the Kursk plant next week to assess the scenario after Russia informed the company about attempted attacks on the facility the day before.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said in a statement that he would assess the scenario on-site and discuss the modalities of future activities needed to assess the plant’s nuclear safety and security situation during his next visit.
Authorities in Kursk said they had begun setting up concrete shelters to help civilians.
In a separate development, Moscow said its troops seized the village of Mezhove in the Donetsk region and repelled an attempt by a Ukrainian force to infiltrate its border in another region since the incursion from Kyiv on Aug. 6.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the capture of a new village he did not name and said the raid had aided Russian bombing in the northeastern region of Sumy.
Also in Kiev, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the capital on Friday, where he met with Zelensky. Indian and Ukrainian officials said the scale is expected to focus on strengthening economic ties and cooperation in defense, science and technology.
Ukrainian media reported that Modi met with representatives of the Indian diaspora after his arrival.
In the United States, President Joe Biden’s leadership will send about $125 million in new military aid to Ukraine, he announced Thursday.
U. S. officials said the newest aid package included air defense missiles, ammunition for high-mobility artillery rocket systems, Javelins and other drilling missiles.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the aid was publicly announced. The official announcement could come as early as Friday, the eve of Ukraine’s Independence Day.
The weapons are provided under the Presidential Withdrawal Authorization, are taken from Pentagon stockpiles, and can be delivered more quickly.
Agencies – Xinhua